On Friday, September 13, Edison competed in the Battle at Ocean County Park as the second race of the Fall 2024 Cross Country Season. Despite only being the second race of the season, Edison athletes performed exceptionally with many medals and multiple PRs across freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior races.
The Edison High runners got six medals in total by placing in the top 30 of their respective races. The 6 boys that medaled were Mark Palladino ‘25, Joaquin Sanchez ‘26, Eddie Schneider ‘27, Niko Schneider ‘27, Logan Parks ‘27, and Tanush Lingala ‘27.
The sophomores performed exceptionally with all runners placing top 30 and medaling in their race. Niko Schneider ‘27, Tanush Lingala ‘27, Logan Parks ‘27, and Eddie Schneider ‘27, ran 18:10, 18:26, 18:27, and 18:42, respectively in the 5k event. With an average time of 18:21 Edison’s sophomore team placed 5th of 30 schools in New Jersey.
“I got out fast and just tried to maintain my speed,” said Niko Schneider ‘27. “I wound up moving up several places during the race which helped me get my medal.”
Along with strong sophomore performances, captain Mark Palladino ‘25 medalled with a time of 17:21.22, the best time in the cross country team in the 5K Event. Following Palladino were Joaquin Sanchez ‘25 and Matteo Pittenger ‘26 with remarkable times of 17:30.38 and 17:51
.33, respectively. These three athletes stood out as the first three Eagle runners to finish a 5K in less than 18 minutes.
“Wanted to do my best knowing that it’d be the easiest course we run on all year,” said Mark Palladino ‘25. “I put in everything I had and ended up placing within the top 30.”
Despite being the first 5K of the season, PRs were apparent throughout the entire team. Jacob Badilla ‘25 ran more than a minute faster and Annika Villainueva ‘25 ran 50 seconds faster than her previous record.
“Didn’t want to have that feeling of taking my last season for granted,” said Jacob Badilla ‘25. “Got the PR I wanted, but am working
towards more personal bests in the future.”
The Cross Country Battle at Ocean Country Park proved to be a successful race for many of the runners, with many medals and PR’s across the board. The Cross Country team will be looking toward the next race with eagerness to win more medals and set new PR’s.
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Joaquin Sanchez ’26 leaves the woods and makes his way to the finish line during the Junior Boys 5k. Sanchez ran a 17:31 and earned a medal.
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An Edison Cross Country runner attaches their race bib as they prepare for an upcoming race.
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The Sophomore Boys medalists (from left): Tanush Lingala ’27, Logan Parks ’27, Niko Schneider ’27, Eddie Schneider ’27.
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The Boys 5k race at Ocean County Park begins.
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